By Staff
Staff Reports, Hartselle Enquirer
Never let it be said athletes are not interested in tennis.
On two days notice, 26 kids showed up for tryouts for the first ever junior varsity tennis team at Hartselle.
Of the 26, 10 girls and eight boys were chosen.
The team played seven matches this year. The boys were 4-3, while the girls were 3-4.
Not too shabby for seventh and eighth graders playing ninth and 10th graders.
The team played Austin, Decatur, Arab, West Point and Cullman.
On the boy's side, Jarrett Beasley was the No. 1 singles player, followed by Alex Brown, John Alan Landers, Brent Denson, Anthony Penick, Josiah Weems, Jesse Childers and Jake Cofer.
Candice Light headed up the girl's team as the No. 1 singles player, while Haley Smith, Courtany Grammer, Dana Watson, Laura Summerford, Brittany Woodall, Kara Ricketts, Caitlin Vest, Sarah Baggs and Brianna Logan followed.
Coaches claim creating this team on the junior high level will help feed the high school program for years to come. There are many scholarship opportunities for tennis players, and those who have had the chance to develop their game through organized school athletics will have a better chance at those scholarships.
Sally Woodall sponsored the team, while Regina Light and Leanne Luter organized the program. Light coached the team.
Two local pros, Pam Owens and Danny Light, also worked with the team on many occasions.